County: Hillsborough
ZIP Codes: 33549, 33613, 33612, 33559
University, Florida, located in Hillsborough County, is significantly inland in comparison to the state's coastal areas, which typically bear the brunt of hurricanes and tropical storms. However, this does not completely eliminate the potential danger posed by hurricanes. The main concerns in University would be strong winds and heavy rains which can lead to severe flooding, especially with the town's proximity to the Hillsborough River and other smaller bodies of water. While the area is not particularly low-lying, with an average elevation around 46 feet, heavy or prolonged rain can still result in significant flooding. Evacuation may not usually be necessary due to storm surges, but consideration should be given towards securing homes and property against wind and water damage. Looking into the weather history, University, along with much of Florida, was significantly impacted by Hurricane Irma in 2017. Despite being a considerable distance from where Irma made landfall, the town experienced strong winds and heavy rainfall that resulted in power outages and localized flooding. Earlier, in 2004, Hurricane Frances also brought heavy rains to the region causing flooding. In terms of prolonged floods, the El Niño event in 1997-1998 led to a period of substantial rains causing the Hillsborough River to flood, affecting University as well. Hence, the threat of hurricanes and associated flooding remains a significant concern for the residents of University.